Volunteer at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOO

Volunteer Login

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is always looking for people who love animals and want to be a part of a great team. Our volunteers have the opportunity to help our animal keepers, our Education staff, our Horticulture and Grounds staff and special events. We only ask for a minimum of four hours a month. If you have some spare time and would like to help an organization dedicated to bringing people and animals together, join us!

Applications for our Adult Volunteer Program are being accepted!

If you are interested in being a volunteer and would like to attend the
orientation and training sessions, please submit an application.
Applications received are considered for orientation and training sessions
- Next training session is on April 12, 2008.

Will you be important as a volunteer?
As a volunteer with Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, you are vital to the everyday operations of the zoo, and you help us achieve success in serving the community of Colorado Springs. We are always accepting applications for individual Adult volunteers and have orientations that take place four times throughout the year. Teens interested in volunteering for the Zoo should check out our Zoo Crew and Junior Zoo Keeper programs. Youth and adult group volunteers are also welcome.

What area would be most exciting for you?

CIT Program

Education

Group Volunteer

Horticulture

Junior Zoo Keeper

Membership

Miscellaneous Help

Special Events

Special Resources

Zoo Crew

What are the Zoo’s volunteer requirements?

You must be at least 18 years of age. For teens, 13-17 years old, see information and requirements for our Zoo Crew and Junior Zoo Keeper Programs.
A submitted application, which includes two references.
Registration fee is $45 - This covers a t-shirt, nametag, and required background check processes.
Registration is due on or before the applicant’s scheduled orientation.
Have proof of a negative TB test within the past year (+/-$13)
Fingerprinting (+/-$8).
Completion of the volunteer orientation and training series. Sessions are held in April, July, October, and January.

How can I apply?
Simply follow the application process provided for individuals or groups below.

Individual adult volunteer application process:
1. Complete the Adult Volunteer Application. This is done online by clicking on the application link provided and following the
instructions.

2. Download and complete the Release and Waiver of Claims form. After the application is submitted online, a link will be
provided to direct you back to our website so you can complete this step.

3. After applications are reviewed, applicants will be contacted by the Adult and Teen Programs Coordinator. At this time, the
Orientation and Training schedule will be provided.

4. Attend the Orientation and Training sessions. Bring the completed Release and Waiver of Claims form and the registration
fee of $45 to Orientation.

     *Note: Attendance at the Orientation and Training is required to be a Cheyenne Mountain Zoo volunteer. This training will
       not only provide you with all of the information and tools required to serve the Zoo, but will ensure that your volunteer
       experience is a rewarding one. Be sure to schedule this training into your calendar!

Adult Volunteer Application

Group Volunteer Application

Youth Group Volunteer Application

Parental Permission Form - Youth Group Volunteer (pdf)

Release and Waiver of Claims Form

If you have any questions;
Contact the Adult & Teen Programs Coordinator at (719)633-9925, ext. 127 or email: volunteer@cmzoo.org

GROUP VOLUNTEERS
Youth and Adult volunteer groups are always welcome, and many special projects are available! Volunteering is a wonderful experience for youth, increasing both their maturity and their sense of community. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo welcomes volunteers of all ages and appreciates the invaluable help we receive from these willing hands.
Special instructions and forms apply to group volunteers, so please read below.

Youth groups fall under special requirements at the zoo because of the need for supervision and the restricted areas in which they can work safely. Therefore, the following guidelines must be adhered to:

1). No minimum age has been set for youth volunteers, but the age must be appropriate for the work attempted.
2). The ratio of adult supervisors to youth should be 1 to 5, depending on the age of the group’s youngsters. This means that when youth are on zoo grounds, they must be under the constant supervision of the group’s adult leadership.
3). Youth should be dressed appropriately for the weather and the type of work they will do at the zoo. It’s important to remember that we are a mountain zoo, and the weather may be a bit cooler than in Colorado Springs.
4). Each supervisor and child should bring a lunch if their work is to extend over the noon hour.
5). Cheyenne Mountain Zoo reserves the right to request any individual or group to leave zoo grounds if their behavior is deemed inappropriate.
How to Apply for Youth Group Volunteering:
1). Complete the Youth Group Application. This is done online by clicking on the application link provided and following the instructions.
2). Download the Release and Waiver of Claims Form and Parental Permission form. After the application is submitted online, a link will be provided to direct you back to our website so you can complete this step.
3). Make copies of the Release and Waiver of Claims form. A waiver form for each child must be completed and signed by a parent or legal guardian. All adult supervisors must also complete a waiver form.
4). Make copies of the Parental Permission Form. This form must be completed for each volunteer under 18 years of age, by a parent or legal guardian.
5). Send completed waiver and parental permission forms to:
            Adult and Teen Programs Coordinator
            Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
            4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road
            Colorado Springs, CO 80906
6). After reviewing the submitted application, the Adult and Teen Programs Coordinator will determine an appropriate project and notify the group supervisor when and if such work becomes available.
7). A day and time will be determined for the chosen project.
8). The Group supervisor should provide all volunteers with necessary instructions, i.e. arrive a few minutes early, dress appropriately, bring lunches and any necessary equipment

Adult groups:

1). Volunteers should be dressed appropriately for the weather and the type of work they will do at the zoo. It’s important to remember that we are a mountain zoo, and the weather may be a bit cooler than in Colorado Springs.
2). Each volunteer should bring a lunch if their work is to extend over the noon hour.
3). Cheyenne Mountain Zoo reserves the right to request any individual or group to leave zoo grounds if their behavior is deemed inappropriate.
How to apply for Adult Group Volunteering:
1). Complete the Adult Group Application. This is done online by clicking on the application link provided and following the instructions.
2). Download the Release and Waiver of Claims Form. After the application is submitted online, a link will be provided to direct you back to our website so you can complete this step.
3). Make copies of the Release and Waiver of Claims form. All volunteers must complete a waiver form.
4). Send completed waiver forms to:
            Adult and Teen Programs Coordinator
            Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
            4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road
            Colorado Springs, CO 80906
5). After reviewing the submitted application, the Adult and Teen Programs Coordinator will determine an appropriate project and notify the group supervisor when and if such work becomes available.
6). A day and time will be determined for the chosen project.
7). The Group supervisor should provide all volunteers with necessary instructions, i.e. arrive a few minutes early, dress appropriately, bring lunches and any necessary equipment

If you have any questions;
Contact the Adult & Teen Programs Coordinator at (719)633-9925, ext. 127 or email: volunteer@cmzoo.org

Thank you so much for your interest in serving Cheyenne Mountain Zoo…
We hope your group’s experience will be rewarding and fun!

ANIMAL DEPARTMENT

Animal Department volunteers assist the zookeepers in cleaning and maintaining the animal enclosures. This can be physically demanding. Examples of volunteer work in this department are:

minimum 1/2 day of volunteering per month
assisting zookeepers with exhibit modifications
making minor repairs to animal enclosures
hosing down exhibits
raking animal areas
spreading straw
preparing animal diets

Due to animal and volunteer safety issues, volunteers have no physical contact with animals unless given specific permission. Proximity to animals may be limited. Working in the Animal Department is requested by the majority of our volunteers. Volunteers in this department are required to work a minimum of 1/2 a day per month.